Once again Carmel Builders had the privilege of working with Habitat for Humanity to better lives. We are grateful to be offered this opportunity to make a difference!

Beginning Monday, May 14, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans hosted “Thrivent Builds with Habitat Week” in the Harambee neighborhood. The week included hundreds of volunteers lending a hand to accelerate the construction of 10 Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity homes being built in the Harambee neighborhood in 2007.

Carmel Builders, Inc. of Menomonee Falls teamed up with Thrivent Financial and Milwaukee Habitat to build one of the 10 homes as a “Blitz Build” – completing the construction of a home in five days. Numerous trade contractors and suppliers donated labor and material to accomplish this feat. A live web camera captured all the exciting action so individuals could watch the progress of the Blitz Build. The live video is no longer available, however Carmel Builder's VP of Marketing Barbara Weiher logged a colorful daily journal (see the links above) that is also recorded on the Thrivent web site. Read the Press release below for more details about the blitz build.

NEWS RELEASE
Blitz Build – start to finish in one week
Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity teams up with
Carmel Builders to put Milwaukee family on fast-track to home ownership;
Web camera to capture action;

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (May 10, 2007) – Gloria and Bashamba Williams and their three children will watch their home be built – from start to finish – in just one week during a ‘Blitz Build.’ The home, which will be handicapped accessible to assist one of their young sons with medical needs, is being constructed through Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, an unprecedented volunteer and financial alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. Carmel Builders, Inc. of Menomonee Falls, is joining Thrivent Financial’s Southeast Wisconsin Region and Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity by supporting the Blitz Build as the general contractor.

A live web camera will capture all the action so individuals can watch the progress of the Blitz Build. The live video, made possible with contributions by Cornerstone Security Group and Time Warner Cable, will be available on www.thriventbuilds.com.

“The Blitz Build will bring yet another added element of excitement to this amazing week,” said Jim Fischer, managing partner of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Southeast Wisconsin Region.

Along with Carmel Builders as general contractor, approximately 35 additional companies are donating labor and materials to accomplish the feat. In addition, volunteers from the Racine County Chapter of Thrivent Financial will lend a hand on the Blitz Build site.

“This undertaking would not be possible without the generous support of Thrivent Financial and our partners in the construction industry,” said Tom Weiher, president of Carmel Builders. “Through this project, not only will families have homes they can be proud of and build their lives around, but the community is strengthened.”

Approximately 45-50 skilled labor will work at any one time during the Blitz Build construction schedule from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Weiher says good weather is critical, especially on the first day, in order to complete the framing and walls on time and keep tasks on schedule.

“Safety and coordination are also essential, said Weiher. “With this many people working with speed and in close proximity, safety must be a top priority among all the trades working at the site.”

Flexibility and positive attitudes are another vital component as this type of project can face glitches and adjustments.

““It’s all about having a can-do attitude,” said Weiher.

“At the end of the week, all of the effort will result in a safe, affordable home and an amazing new beginning for the Williams family, said Fischer. “And that’s why we are here.”